Device and method for disinfecting toilet bowl

ABSTRACT

In combination with a toilet, the invention provides a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl. The device includes a light source, a powering unit and a switch. The light source may be configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of light. The light source may be mounted on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid so that the ultraviolet beam of light is directed into a cavity of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat lid is disposed in a generally horizontal closed position for covering an opening of the toilet bowl. The switch may be operatively coupled between the light source and the powering unit to selectively activate and deactivate said light source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/422,718 filed on Dec. 14, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a device and method for disinfecting a toilet.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

N/A

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is generally well known, as the water sits in a toilet bowl, bacteria begins to grow on the sides of the toilet bowl, which can cause dark stains at the water line. The problem is especially pronounced when the toilets are only seldom used and flushed.

Individuals often pour harsh chemicals into the bowl to try and kill the bacteria. Bleach and other cleaners drain into the septic system and disrupt the natural decomposition in the septic tank. Furthermore, many individuals clean their toilet bowl on a regular basis. This process can be time consuming and labor intensive.

Prior to the conception and design of the instant invention, devices have been used for sanitizing the toilet bowl in order to replace manual efforts, however, there is a further need for an improved device and method for sanitizing toilet bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In combination with a toilet, the invention provides a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl. The device includes a light source, a powering unit and a switch. The light source is configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of light. The light source is mounted on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid so that the ultraviolet beam of light is directed into a cavity of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat lid is disposed in a generally horizontal closed position for covering an opening of the toilet bowl. The switch is operatively coupled between the light source and the powering unit to selectively activate and deactivate said light source.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of sanitizing a toilet bowl including the steps of mounting a device to an interior surface of a toilet seat lid and directing an ultraviolet beam of light emitted from the device toward a body of water disposed within the toilet bowl for at least one predetermined time interval for at least one predetermined duration only when the toilet seat lid is disposed generally horizontally to cover an opening of the toilet bowl. The device of this embodiment generally includes a light source, a powering unit and a switch. The light source is configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of light. The light source is mounted on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid so that the ultraviolet beam of light is directed into a cavity of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat lid is disposed in a generally horizontal closed position for covering an opening of the toilet bowl. The switch is operatively coupled between the light source and the powering unit to selectively activate and deactivate said light source.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that includes a light source, a powering unit and a switch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the powering unit is selected from at least one battery, an external power source or a combination thereof.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the switch includes a timer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the switch includes one of an accelerometer and a tilt sensor.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that further comprises a mounting member.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide the device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the toilet seat lid includes a cavity wherein the light source is mounted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the powering unit is disposed external to the toilet and the toilet seat lid further includes at least one passage disposed therewithin for housing wire members.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the switch is disposed external to the toilet seat lid at a hinge member.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

An alternative object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that also includes a temperature sensor.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that further includes another light source.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that also includes a motion sensor.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that further includes at least one processor.

An alternative object of the present invention provides a device for disinfecting a toilet bowl that further includes an additional plurality of light sources.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of sanitizing a toilet bowl.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a planar elevation view of the device of the instant invention for disinfecting toilet bowls;

FIG. 2 is a planar elevation view of the device of FIG. 1, illustrating the toilet seat lid in an open position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a planar elevation side view of the device of FIG. 1, particularly illustrating a charging arrangement constructed in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial top view of the charging arrangement shown in FIG. 4.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its presently preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 5. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

The present invention describes a device and method for disinfecting a toilet (herein described as the “device”), generally designated as 10.

The present invention is illustrated and described in combination with a flush toilet, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that the present invention may be applied to other toilets and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the device 10 of the present invention.

Reference is now made, to FIGS. 1-5, wherein there is shown a device, generally designated as 10, for disinfecting a toilet bowl 12.

The device 10 at least includes a light source 14, a powering unit 16 and a switch 18, comprising an assembly, generally designated as 13.

The light source of the present invention is preferably configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of light 20. As is conventionally known, the ultraviolet beam of light 20 is characterized as electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in the range of about 10 nm to about 400 nm and energies from about 3 eV to about 124 eV. The light source 14 may be mounted on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid 22 so that the beam of light 20 is directed into a cavity 24 of the toilet bowl 12 when the toilet seat lid 22 is disposed in a generally horizontal closed position for covering an opening of the toilet bowl 12. The beam of light 20 is so sized and shaped as to substantially cover the surface of the body of water 58 disposed within the cavity 24 of the toilet bowl 12 and, preferably, exceed the size of the surface so as to encompass a portion of the exposed surface of the cavity 24. The light source 14 may be at least one light emitting diode or other similar semiconductor light source. The light source 14 may have any geometric shape or pattern including but not limited to circular, square, triangular, or petal shape. By way of an example only, such light source 14 may be a high power LED of the type as distributed by Mouser Electronics of Mansfield, Tex. under part number 897-LZ110UA05.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the powering unit 16 may be selected from at least one battery 25, an external powering source or a combination thereof. The powering unit 16 provides the power necessary to operate the light source 14 and may further be defined as a device that supplies electrical energy to one or more electric loads. An external power source may be defined as a power source that takes voltage from a wall outlet 60. Examples of suitable external power sources capable of use with the present invention include but are not limited to an AC power supply, a DC power supply, an AC/DC power supply or a combination thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4-5, the powering unit 16 may be an external power source 62 that is connected to a wall outlet 60 and the toilet seat lid 22 may include at least one passage 28 disposed therewithin for housing wire members 30 that connect the light source 14 to the power source 62.

The switch 18 of the present invention may be operatively coupled between the light source 14 and the powering unit 16 to activate and deactivate the light source 14. In one embodiment of the present invention, the switch 18 may be provided as a timer 26 for activating the light source 14 at a predetermined time interval for a predetermined duration. The timer 26 of the present invention may be capable of activating the light source 14 at multiple time intervals for multiple durations.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the switch 18 may be attached to the toilet seat lid 22. The switch 18 may be in an activated position when the toilet seat lid 22 is in the closed position and in a deactivated position when the toilet seat lid 22 is in an open position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the switch 18 may include an accelerometer. It is to be understood that the definition of an accelerometer applies to an apparatus that measures acceleration and therefore activates the switch when the accelerometer detects a predetermined threshold of acceleration associated with toilet seat lid 22 operation. Accelerometers capable of use with the present device 10 include mechanical apparatus, micro-electro-mechanical-systems or combinations thereof.

Alternatively, the switch 18 may include a tilt sensor 32. It is to be understood that the definition of a tilt sensor 32 applies to an apparatus that can measure the titling of a reference plane in at least two axes. Therefore, the tilt sensor 32 of the present invention is configured to activate and deactivate the switch 18 when the tilt sensor 32 detects a change in the angle of the toilet seat lid 22 with respect to the toilet bowl 12 caused by the opening and closing of the toilet seat lid 22. It would be appreciated that the tilt sensor 32 is configured to activate the light source 14 when the toilet seat lid 22 is positioned to close the opening of the toilet bowl 12.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4-5, the switch 18 may be provided as a switch 38 disposed externally to the toilet seat lid 22 at a hinge member 34 that connects the toilet seat lid 22 to a rear surface of the toilet 36. In one particular embodiment, the wire members 30 may extend through the hinge member 34. The switch 38 may be attached to one end of the hinge member 34. The switch 38 may be a rotary switch or other like switch that activates the light source 14 by rotation of the hinge member 34 or bay manual operation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the device 10 may include a mounting member 40 for mounting the light source 14 to the surface of the toilet seat lid 22. The mounting member 40 may be comprised of any suitable material, such as metal, a fiber, or a polymer and may be affixed to the toilet seat lid 22 using any suitable attaching means. Preferably, the mounting member 34 is a printed circuit board (PCB). Suitable attaching means may include but are not limited to as nails, screws, hooks, adhesives and other like attaching means.

Although, the assembly 13 may be mounted on the interior surface 56 of the toilet seat lid 22 it is presently preferred to provide a mounting cavity 36 within the thickness of the toilet seat lid 22 for mounting the assembly 13. The mounting cavity 36 has a shape that is complimentary to the shape of the mounting member 34, when provided, or is sized and shaped to directly receive the light source 14, powering unit 16 and any other optional components described in this document. The instant invention also contemplates that such cavity 36 and the passageway 28 may extend past the interior surface 56 of the toilet seat lid 22 by way of an abutment (not shown) provided on the interior surface 56 of the toilet seat lid 22.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the device 10 may also include a temperature sensor 42 that is disposed in close proximity to the light source 14 and that is operatively coupled to the switch 18. Particularly, the temperature sensor 42 may be configured to measure temperature given off by the light source 14 so that that when the temperature reaches a predetermined threshold the switch 18 deactivates the light source 14.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the device 10, further includes another light source 44 that is mounted in proximity of the light source 14 and that is configured to emit another beam of light. Such another light source 44 is configured to operate as a conventional night light or light that facilitates illumination in dark areas or areas that become dark at certain times.

The device 10, may further include a motion sensor 46 that is configured to detect motion. The motion sensor 46 is operatively coupled to the another light source 44 so that the another light source 44 is activated when the sensor 46 detects motion in proximity to the toilet 36. Preferably, the motion sensor 46 and the another light source 44 are configured to activate when the toilet seat lid 22 is in an open position being disposed generally normal to a plane of the toilet.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 10 further includes at least one processor 48 configured to execute a predetermined logic or sequence of steps.

The device 10 may include an optional plurality of light sources 50 mounted in a predetermined pattern in close proximity to a peripheral edge 52 of the toilet seat lid 22. The additional plurality of light sources 50 may operate to disinfect an upper surface of a toilet seat 54. The predetermined pattern may vary depending upon the shape of the upper surface of the toilet seat 54.

According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of sanitizing a toilet bowl 12 including the steps of mounting the device 10 to an interior surface 56 of the toilet seat lid 22 and directing the UV beam of light 20 emitted from the light source 14 toward a body of water 58 disposed within the toilet bowl 12 for at least one predetermined time interval for at least one predetermined duration only when the toilet seat lid 22 is disposed generally horizontally to cover an opening of the toilet bowl 12.

Although the instant invention has been described in combination with a light source emitting ultraviolet beam of light, those skilled in the art will readily understand that a light source emitting infrared beam of light may be also employed for the purposes of killing bacteria in the toilet bowl.

Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims 

1. In combination with a toilet, a device for at least disinfecting a toilet bowl, said device comprising: (a) a light source configured to emit a beam of light, said light source is so mounted on or within a surface of a toilet seat lid that said beam of light is directed into a cavity of said toilet bowl when said toilet seat lid is disposed in a generally closed position for covering an opening of said toilet bowl; (b) a powering unit; and (c) a switch operatively coupled between said light source and said powering unit and operable to selectively activate and deactivate said light source.
 2. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said powering unit is selected from the group consisting of at least one battery, an external power source and a combination thereof.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said switch includes a timer for activating said light source at least one predetermined time interval for at least one predetermined duration.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said switch is attached to said toilet seat lid.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said switch is in an activated position when said toilet seat lid is in said closed position and in a deactivated position when said toilet seat lid is in an open position.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said switch includes one of an accelerometer and a tilt sensor.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mounting member for mounting said light source to said surface of said toilet seat lid.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said toilet seat lid includes a mounting cavity and wherein said light source is mounted within said mounting cavity.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said powering unit is disposed external to said toilet and wherein said toilet seat lid further includes at least one passage disposed therewithin for housing wire members connecting said light source to said powering unit.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said switch is disposed external to said toilet seat lid at a hinge member connecting said toilet seat lid to a rear surface of said toilet.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein said wire members extend through said hinge member and wherein said switch is attached to one end of said hinge member.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein said light source is at least one light emitting diode configured to emit an ultraviolet beam of light.
 13. The device of claim 1, further including a temperature sensor disposed in close proximity to said light source and operatively coupled to said switch, said temperature sensor configured to measure temperature given off by said light source and operate said switch to deactivate said light source when said temperature reaches a predetermined threshold.
 14. The device of claim 1, further including another light source mounted in proximity of said light source configured to emit said ultraviolet beam of light.
 15. The device of claim 14, further including a sensor configured to detect motion, said sensor is operatively coupled to said another light and configured to activate said another light upon detecting motion in proximity to said toilet.
 16. The device of claim 14, wherein said sensor and said another light are configured to activate when said toilet seat lid is in an open position being disposed generally normal to a plane of said toilet seat.
 17. The device of claim 1, further including at least one processor coupled to each of said light source and said powering unit.
 18. The device of claim 1, further including additional plurality of light sources mounted in a predetermined pattern in close proximity to a peripheral edge of said toilet seat lid and operable to disinfect an upper surface of a toilet seat.
 19. A method of at least disinfecting a toilet bowl, said method comprising the steps of: (a) mounting device of claim 1 to an interior surface of a toilet seat lid; and (b) directing said beam of light emitted from said light source toward a body of water disposed within said toilet bowl for at least one predetermined time interval for at least one predetermined duration only when said toilet seat lid is disposed to cover an opening of said toilet bowl. 